William Shakespeare in his play Macbeth, uses the unrelenting power of envy which results in the downfall of Macbeth and his family. Throughout the play Macbeth, Shakespeare seems to urge to his audience that evil will never overcome good. His tone seems to say that evil may rule for some time, but in the end good will always overcome.
             In Macbeth, the motif of "nothing is as it seems" is very important and is seen throughout the play. Shakespeare uses this motif to show evil, convey mistrust, and reinforce truth. The motif serves to prove the theme that evil will always be overcome by good.
             Shakespeare first uses the motif "nothing is as it seems" is used with the three witches in the beginning of the play. "Fair is foul, and foul is fair: Hover through the fog and filthy air" (1.1.11-12), They are chanting these words as they wait for the battle to be over so they can seduce Macbeth into believing and acting on their prophesies. This shows right off that these witches, the first characters shown are sly and suspicious. They are seen to Macbeth as tellers of the future, but are actually working against him to bring him to his ruin. Their evilness is revealed by Shakespeare by the motif. He is showing that they may act like prophets, but are evil inside. to "look like the innocent flower, But be the serpent under't" (1.5.65-66). In this sentence, Lady Macbeth is urging her husband to be evil, but put on a face of good. Macbeth should still plan to kill the king and take the throne, but should act like Duncan's loyal followers. The most dramatic illustration of this motif is "Where we are, There's daggers in men's smiles" (2.3.139-140) Just before Malcolm and Donalbain flee Macbeth's castle Donalbain utters these words. He proves the motif with his assumption that even though men may smile, they are murderers hiding a secret. They smile and appear innocent, but are guilty and hi
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